Calligram in the Shape of a Sufi Cap

late 19th–early 20th century

Not on view

Calligrams use the shapes of the Arabic letters to create animate and inanimate forms. In this case the letters that make up the phrase, "Ya Mevlana Hazrat" or "Oh Mevlana, the Prophet," form the contours of a Sufi cap, reminiscent of caps worn by Sufis of the Mevlevi order. Mawlana is one of the famous mystic poet Jalal al-Din Rumi's titles. The owner of this folio may have looked to this folio for spiritual strength and a connection with Rumi. The artist's signature is seen at the lower left of the composition

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Calligram in the Shape of a Sufi Cap
Date: late 19th–early 20th century
Geography: Attributed to Turkey, Istanbul
Medium: Black ink, opaque watercolor, and shell gold on paper
Dimensions: With Frame:
H. 13 in. (33 cm)
W. 11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm)
D. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Gift of Jeri and Charles Garbaccio in honor of Josephine Berger-Nadler, 2023
Object Number: 2023.571
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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